Eye Exam Q&A

An eye examination is carried out by an optometrist and usually takes about 20-30 minutes. Your eyes will be examined both outside and inside.

History and symptoms

At the start of the eye examination, your optometrist will ask why you are having your eyes examined .

Is it a routine check-up ? or you have come for a specific reason?

Are You Suffering from problems with your eyes or vision ?

What are the Symptoms you have ?

How long you have had them

Whether any changes have happened suddenly or slowly over a period of time.

Your optometrist will also need to know about your general health including

Are you taking any Medication ?

Are you suffering from headaches?

Do You have any close relatives with a history of eye problems?

What the kind of work you do?

Do you play sports or have any hobbies?

When to have your eyes examined?

Children

Children generally should have their first eye exam at age three and again at the start of school.

PS : Children with risk factors for vision problems may need their first eye exam earlier than 6 months of age and may need more frequent eye exams throughout childhood

Children should continue to have their eyes examined every 6 months until age 21.

Adults

To maintain a lifetime of healthy vision, we recommend annual eye exam for adults ages 21 to 60, and Twice a year for seniors age 61 and older."At risk" adults should have more frequent exams.

Risk factors for adults include:

A family history of eye disease (glaucoma, macular degeneration, etc.)

Diabetes or high blood pressure.

A visually demanding occupation or one that may pose hazards to the eyes.

Taking prescription or non-prescription drugs that may have visual or eye-related side effects.

Previous eye injuries or eye surgery.

Who should I see for my eye exam?

Ophthalmologists are medical doctors (MDs or DOs) who specialize in eye care. Not only do they prescribe eyeglasses and contacts, but they also perform eye surgery and treat medical conditions of the eye.

Optometrists also are eye doctors who diagnose vision problems and treat medical conditions of the eye with eye drops and other medicines. . They prescribe glasses, contacts, low vision aids, vision therapy and medication to treat eye diseases.